Spaghetti squash seedling8/26/2023 ![]() Insects that feed on spaghetti squash include aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, squash vine borers, and stink bugs. Make sure to remove row covers when flowering begins so they can be pollinated.ĭiseases that impact spaghetti squash include blossom-end rot, cucumber mosaic virus, downy mildew, and powdery mildew. ![]() It is recommended to keep young spaghetti squash plants under row covers. The sooner you detect a problem, the easier it is to deal with. Avoid getting leaves and fruit wet to reduce disease issues.Ĭheck for any insect or disease damage each time you water. Like other squash plants, several diseases and insect pests impact spaghetti squash. Make sure it doesn’t touch the plants and water them immediately. Mix the fertilizer into the soil to a depth of about 4 inches.Īdd two more tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer around each mound when flowers appear. Spaghetti squash does best when 2 to 3 plants are grown together on a mound.īefore planting, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer evenly over each mound. Squash plants are heavy feeders and require more nutrients to grow well. This allows the soil to retain moisture better without increasing disease issues. The ideal humidity for spaghetti squash is 60 percent. Make sure you don’t sow seeds until two weeks after the last predicted frost date. Use shade cloth to protect flowering plants if temperatures are too high.įrost will kill spaghetti squash plants. Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the flowers to drop off early. Spaghetti squash plant temperature should be between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That means they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Spaghetti squash needs full sun to grow well. Water in the morning so that if any plant tissue gets wet, the sun will quickly dry it. Water on leaves and fruit can lead to disease issues. When hand watering, avoid wetting the leaves or fruit. Plants should get at least 1 inch of water per week. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist throughout the entire growing season. Add a layer of mulch to the soil to help with moisture retention and reduce weed growth. If you have clayey soils, tilling in some organic matter will help with drainage. If you have sandier soil, adding organic matter can help it retain moisture better. Soil high in organic matter works best because it provides extra nutrients. You need well-draining soil that can retain moisture for spaghetti squash. Below we provide tips on how to avoid these issues. Temperature, diseases, and insects tend to be the biggest problems for spaghetti squash. Providing enough water and nutrients are the two most important factors to consider. Spaghetti squash is not difficult to grow and does well in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11. Unlike winter squash, they can only be stored for a week or two. ![]() Summer squash, like yellow crookneck squash, is harvested early when the rinds are still thin. That means if you plant winter squash in the fall, you could store and eat it during the winter months. The thicker rinds allow you to store them for up to a few months. Winter squash types are harvested when fruits are mature. That’s why it is often used as a low-calorie alternative to traditional spaghetti.Įven though spaghetti squash is called a winter squash, you don’t grow it in winter. It has a mild flavor and stringy texture. When cooked correctly, the inner falls apart into long strands of vegetable spaghetti. Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that has a thick white to orange rind.
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